We're Getting Married!!

First day of summer camp, I rolled up to Dodge park, super nervous, carrying my little tripod chair. Right away a guy introduced himself to me- said his name was AD, like the number 80, which I appreciated because it was the only name I could remember the next day. I was, of course, taking my job very seriously and focusing on my sessions, but throughout the week I found myself drawn to this guy who was so easy and interesting to talk to, and I looked forward to when our teams would scrimmage each other just so we could continue our conversation from the day before. On the last day of camp, the staff went to the lake to unwind with some boating, pizza and drinks. We had about 30 minutes on the boat before the universe decided to drench us with a crazy Michigan summer thunderstorm. It was a good 30 minutes though- I remember at one point I got up from the back of the boat to sit next to AD on the front edge and dangle our feet in the water (I learned later that this was "all part of the plan" he had hatched to win me over). Three days later I received a very professional email from AD, asking if I was interested in helping him out with his U8 boys team. He said he would “throw me some flow” and even “buy me a few drinks if I really did well”. I had no idea what flow was, but I replied that I would help, and that we could discuss a game plan at On The Border- during happy hour obviously- if he was going to buy me a few drinks they might as well be half off. Oh and I also happened to slip my number in there. What really sealed the deal, however, was when I drove him home after our On the Border, uh, meeting. I went inside to meet his parents and Bailey, still keeping it professional, but my resolve finally broke when I took a bite into the Kahlua cake ball my future mother-in-law had baked. There were three in the Tupperware when I got in the car to leave, and zero when I arrived back home. Got to give him credit- he knew exactly what he was doing.

The day we first met, of course, happened to be on a soccer field at a camp. I saw this beautiful woman walking around with a portable chair, a big smile, and some sexy shades on. First, I was worried… I thought please be close to my age. I didn’t think I was that old yet but, there was no doubt in my mind this woman was out of my league. So, I went to introduce myself and I thought I had “planted the seed”. The end of the week we had a staff get together at our boss’s house on the lake. I thought this was my last chance! I may never see this jaw dropping human being again. So, what did I do? I hustled. Convinced her to help me coach 7&8-year-old boys. Classic. Who wouldn’t want to hang out with a good-looking guy and who works with children? I thought I had knocked it out the park but I guess it wasn’t enough since I did not get the confirmation of Olivia Brannon coming on as an assistant coach for the 2011 boys… it took a very convincing email with a bit of bribery to get her on board. Yes of course margaritas were the deal breaker. Our first ‘date’ we hit On The Border and had a great time. Now Olivia was driving, so I thought hmmm I can introduce her to Bailey and my mom happened to be baking tonight. The timing could not have been more perfect! I will really win her over now! She came, she saw, she got sweets, and the moment I walked back into the house I told my dad that she is the one, this is the woman I will marry.

After my sister's wedding in North Carolina, we decided to take a road trip to Charlottesville Virginia. UVA has always had a very special place in my heart and I haven't been back to the campus since 2012. So it was the perfect opportunity to share my favorite place with my favorite person. As we were walking around The Lawn trying to find Edgar Allen Poe's old dorm room, AD pointed out a statue and very adamantly suggested that we should go "check out and see if it's Ben Franklin". (I should have known it was a ploy then, because never, in five years, has any American historical figure or architecture made him that enthusiastic. I was just elated that he was so into everything and was happy to believe it was due to the magic of the university). So we went to check out the statue (which was, shockingly, NOT Ben Franklin) and the view looking back up at the Rotunda was absolutely stunning. The rain clouds had just broke enough for the sun to shine right on top of the famous building. I grabbed my phone to snap a picture of it and when I turned back around there he was on one knee. We celebrated with margaritas (what else!) and tacos on The Corner, and ended the day with an unforgettable trip to Monticello.

We made the decision to have a destination wedding very quick, almost like we read each other’s minds. The Açores islands. The summer of 2019 we took a trip to Portugal & Germany and fell in love with the whole experience. The people, the food, the history, everything. Creating moments and stories we will enjoy together for the rest of our lives. Meeting up with friends and hanging out at the café or the club. Getting lost in a new city or out in nature. No matter what making memories. All we want is to share such an experience with our family and friends, with the people we love.